出师未捷身先死

chū shī wèi jié shēn xiān sǐ

Save to list

Definitions

1. \he failed to complete his quest before death\ (line from the poem \The Premier of Shu\ 蜀相[shǔ xiàng] by Du Fu 杜甫[dù fǔ])

Stop forgetting what you study.
Build recall daily.

Try HanyuGuide's Chinese review system with multiple choice, typed recall, tone-aware practice, and reviews scheduled before memory fades.

Start Free Trial · $49.99 / year

Sign up with Google

Did Google show an error? Sorry about that. Use your email below instead.

Continue with Email

Lifetime for $119.99 Try a practice session

Child Words of 出师未捷身先死

• 先 先 xiān: early
• 出 出 chū: to go out
• 未 未 wèi: not yet
• 死 死 sǐ: to die
• 出师 出师 chū shī: to finish apprenticeship
• 师 师 shī: teacher
• 捷 捷 jié: Czech
• 身 身 shēn: body